GARRIOCH: A second Colorado Avalanche player tests positive for COVID-19

The Colorado Avalanche have again added to the list of NHL players who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The Avalanche confirmed in a statement Saturday afternoon the organization has had a second player diagnosed with COVID-19, and that’s the fourth known case of the virus in the league after Colorado stated last Thursday the club had its first positive test.

The Avalanche said in that statement the first player has already fully recovered.

“The Colorado Avalanche were advised late last night that a second player has tested positive for COVID-19,” the Avalanche said. “The player is in self-isolation.”

The Avs didn’t release the name of the player for privacy reasons, but indicated that those who may have come in contact with the two individuals have been notified. A day after the league paused on March 12 because of the spread of the virus, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the players in a memo to self-isolate until Friday. That period was extended to April 4 early last week.

According to Colorado officials, the players are respecting that advice from the league.

“All other Avalanche players, staff and others who might have had close contact with the player have been informed and remain isolated as per prior league direction, and are monitoring their health and will be in touch with club medical staff as necessary,” the statement said. “No other Avalanche player or staff member has shown symptoms at this time.”

Only the Ottawa Senators, who have had two players diagnosed with COVID-19, and the Avalanche have reported positives results among their players. TSN 1200 broadcaster Gord Wilson, who was one of 52 people aboard Ottawa’s charter jet after a California road trip, confirmed Friday he had tested positive for the virus and has been self-isolating at home while battling through chest congestion, lack of energy, a runny nose and chills.

The St. Louis Blues released a statement Friday night confirming that longtime play-by-play announcer John Kelly has also tested positive for COVID-19.

A second Colorado Avalanche player has tested positive for COVID-19. The Ottawa Senators — also with two — are the only other club with a positive test.Isaiah J. Downing /
USA TODAY Sports

“John has been in self-quarantine since March 13. We are thrilled to report that John is now feeling strong and symptom-free,” the Blues said in a statement. “The health and safety of the entire Blues family remains our core focus during these unprecedented times.”

The Avalanche and Senators were both making their way through California before the league made the decision to put the schedule on pause. The Senators faced the San Jose Sharks on March 7 at the SAP Center while the Avalanche were in town on March 8. Both games were played with fans in the stands despite warnings from Santa Clara health officials not to hold large gatherings.

The Avs then travelled to Los Angeles to face the Kings on March 9 at the Staples Center while the Senators headed to Anaheim to take on the Ducks on March 10. The Senators then wrapped up their trip against the Kings before the league decided to shut down for an indefinite period.

At this point, no members of the Sharks, Ducks or Kings have tested positive.

Sharks forward Logan Couture has remained in the Bay Area throughout the pause because he’s working on getting his green card. He told reporters on a conference call Friday that he’s been sticking close to home, but said it’s not easy to watch his adopted home go through this.

“It’s tough. I’ve tried to stay inside as much as possible,” Couture said. “But when I have gone out, it’s been to small businesses and restaurants that have been good to me. It’s a big message here to support your local businesses and your small businesses, and try to help them get through this.

“We’re all in it together. I think people here in Santa Clara have bought into what the government has told them with social distancing and staying six feet away from people when you’re out, (and) I see it when I go to the grocery store and stuff like that. They’ve done a good job here just trying to stay strong.”

The NHL head office isn’t sure what the next step is going to be for the league. The owners and general managers held conference calls with commissioner Gary Bettman and Daly last Monday and Tuesday to discuss the issues, but there weren’t many answers from the league’s headquarters in New York because nobody knows where this may lead.

If all had gone as planned, the league would have been heading into the final week of its season, with the schedule wrapping up next Saturday and the playoffs getting underway April 8. Instead, league officials are trying to come up with a plan for what approach they’ll take with the rest of the regular season and the playoffs when — and if — play does resume.

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